issue three

Put the Bite on Decay!Isn’t it exciting to think about my teeth coming in? But wait! Have you heard of Early Childhood Tooth Decay? That’s the formal name for rotten teeth. Please don’t let this happen to me. You

can keep my teeth and gums healthy by not letting me fall asleep at the breast or

with a bottle. Breastmilk, formula and unsweetened juices contain natural sugars. These natural sugars can rot my teeth when I sleep because there is less saliva in my mouth to rinse my teeth. Even before I have teeth, wipe my gums gently with a clean wet washcloth two times a day. As soon as I have teeth, the wet washcloth will still work for the first few teeth. When I have 4-6 teeth, use a small soft toothbrush, without toothpaste to gently clean my teeth. Good brushing habits will help me have healthy teeth and gums.

Fluoride is a substance which makes my teeth harder and helps to protect me from cavities. Fluoride is found in tap water (municipal and private systems), fluoridated toothpaste, commercial drinks and foods. Please don’t give me any fluoride supplements unless my dentist says I need it. Too much fluoride will create white or brown spots on my teeth and my smile won’t be so attractive. If you have questions about fluoride, call the Health Unit office.

Reading Is An AdventureI just love all the caring and affection you give me. It makes me smile and even squeal sometimes. Another way to show me love and closeness is by reading to me. It's true, I'm really not too young. I like to hear the sounds and rhythms in your voice. I like to hear other voices like Grandma’s, Grandpa’s, and older siblings' too. Large colourful picture books which are read slowly and calmly at bedtime can start a bedtime routine that I will cherish for life.

Let's visit our local library or resource centre for a large variety of books. We can start our own family library. Books make great gifts. Reading together is the first step toward talking and reading on my own.

Remember: It's never too early to read to me! The sooner, the better.

If I had my child to raise all over again,I'd finger paint more,

and point the finger less.I'd do less correcting,

and more connecting.I'd take my eyes off my watch,

and watch with my eyes.I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.I'd stop playing serious,

and seriously play.I'd run through more fields,

and gaze at more stars.I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would criticize less, and encourage much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd teach less about the love of power,And more about the power of love.

Adapted from Diane Loomans

Isn’t it amazing how your newborn has changed before your eyes into a more active, social baby? By four months, your baby can show enjoyment, indecision and frustration. He may smile at everyone, however special smiles are saved for his parents.

Around five months, new feelings of fear and excitement begin to appear. Also, your baby may have strong attachments to special people and things.

Your six-month-old will want to be around other children. He enjoys playing “two-way” games like peek-a-boo. Play

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If I Had My Child To Raise All

Over Again

Parenting with the Zap Family,by Invest In Kids Foundation.

Check your local library or resource centre to get up-to-date information about your growing family.

Topics and points of view vary between books and authors. Be sure the information is consistent with your family’s values.

Peek·a·Boo GamesMothering the New Mother, by Sally Placksin

0702

this game with your baby and watch him giggle with delight. Your baby will now play with toys for longer periods of time.

“Stranger anxiety” often appears as your baby realizes that you and he are separate people. He may show fear towards unfamiliar people and may now reach to be picked up when he needs a hug.

Your baby enjoys being with you. You are his first and most important teacher.

Let's Grow ... Together!

Hey Dads! My partner might be surprised to hear this, but I remember thinking that it was about this age when our children started to become "real little people".

At about 4 to 6 months, although every baby is slightly different, our children began to smile. Now I'm not talking about those funny faces they make when they have gas. I'm talking about a real smile. You walk in the room and they see you coming. Greet them with a happy voice and they smile at you, flap their arms and kick their feet. They know how important we are and they are glad to see us! Pick them up and they immediately grab a handful of your moustache or your ear or both. What a wonderful show of affection. I'm also convinced that the open mouth attack on your cheek (or your shirt) is actually a baby kiss. They're kinda messy but it's the thought that counts.”

— written by a Dad.

Talk With A FriendYou may have found that you now need a lot more "to do" lists and without them you would forget everything. Motherhood really does not cause memory loss. You just have many more things on your mind.

Things like groceries may become a lower priority and may need to be on a list. Making lists is one way to stay organized.

You are learning many new ways to manage recent changes in your life. Look back at what has happened and what you've learned about yourself since the birth of your child - it’s amazing isn’t it?

Your friendships may have changed. This often happens, after or during pregnancy, as your interests change. Arrange to meet a friend at a local resource centre or library to talk, laugh and share stories.

Make a date with your partner; go for a bike ride or play a game of tennis. Talking and exercise can be very therapeutic. It can also be a good reminder of the importance of doing something for you. You may be a mom, but you are still an individual. Don't lose you!

Clean and HealthyYou may notice me sucking my thumb more often. This kind of sucking is called “non-nutritive” sucking. I use it to comfort myself. Our dentist will encourage you to give me a pacifier. Please keep it clean by washing it for 30 seconds with warm water. I drop things quite a bit and I don’t want germs or dirt to get in my mouth. When I reach 5-6 months of age you don’t need to sterilize my equipment. But remember that my toys, bottles, cups and spoons need to be washed thoroughly with hot soapy water, after I use them. Also, please wash your hands with soap and water after changing my diaper and feeding me. This will keep us all clean and healthy.

Please don’t feed me honey - even on my pacifier. It could make me very sick with infant botulism and cause my teeth to decay.How To Introduce My First Foods

Breastmilk has supplied all the nutrients my body has needed during these first few months. At six months of age, I will be physically ready for solids. Muscles in my tongue have developed enough to transfer food to the back of my mouth. My digestive system is now more mature and less likely to cause an allergic response. I can hold my head upright in my infant seat as I learn the new skill of eating.

I will show you that I'm hungrier and ready for solids by waking up hungry during the night. I will need a bib now but remember to take it off after I eat or the strings could tighten and choke me.

At six months I can start with a single grain iron-enriched infant cereal mixed with breastmilk or water, served thin from a spoon. Begin with 1-2 tsp. of cereal such as rice, barley, or oatmeal. Remember cereal is a food not a drink. Never put cereal in my bottle.

• In the beginning, serve solids after a milk feeding so that solids do not interfere with milk intake.

• Offer foods by baby spoon. Begin with small amounts (about a tsp.) and gradually increase the amount. If I have trouble learning to swallow from a baby spoon or cup, talk to our doctor.

• Warm foods gradually by placing dish in a bowl of warm water. Microwaves are not recommended to warm baby foods because they heat food unevenly. If you decide to use a microwave STIR food thoroughly for 30 seconds to evenly blend the heat.

• Serve food from a dish, not directly from a jar of baby food. Throw out any leftovers. In addition to bacteria, baby's saliva on the spoon contains enzymes which will digest the food in the jar, making it thin and watery.

• Any baby food in a jar that is not used, can be kept in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 days.

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Childcare ChoicesYou may be getting ready to return to some of your pre-baby activities like work, school or other activities. If you are looking for childcare, it is important to give yourself lots of time to check out your childcare choices carefully. Talk to your family, friends and neighbours. Find out what choices other people have made with childcare.

Remember that it is normal for a baby between 4 to 6 months of age to show some fear of unfamiliar people and places. To help your baby feel safe, begin by leaving him with a new caregiver for short periods of time. Gradually increase this length of time, as your baby and caregiver become more familiar with each other. It may be difficult to leave your baby in someone else’s care. The careful selection of a loving and skilled childcare provider in a safe setting can have a positive effect on your baby’s development. It may also help you to enjoy your return to some of your pre-baby activities.

Looking for childcare also means that your family’s current routines are changing. It is important to talk about any changes in your daily routines with your family. Make sure that family members know what their jobs are. Make a phone list to include the numbers of your childcare provider, the school, your employer, etc. Create a back-up plan in case something unexpected happens. For example, what if someone gets sick?

With careful preparation in your childcare choices, your plans will run smoothly.

One touch is worthten thousand words.

Harold Bloomfield

From 4 to 6 Months, these are some of the things that I can do:

• I can hold my head steady when I'm in a sitting position

• I can follow objects with my eyes

• I might roll over

• I can grasp a rattle or a small toy

• I like to look at my hands

• When I'm on my tummy, I can hold my head up and rest on my forearms

• I can look at small things such as Cheerios

• I will reach for things

• I can sit with support

• I can turn my head towards sounds and your voice

• I should begin to imitate speech sounds

• I will move around to try to get a toy

• I will open my mouth for a spoon

• I seem to understand words such as "Daddy", "bye bye"

• I will start a conversation with you by babbling

• I may roll from my tummy to my back or my back to my tummy

• I will push up on my hands when I'm on my tummy

• I use my hands to reach and grasp, bang and splash

© Copyrighted to Let's Grow, With Your Child • Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Interagency Committee

4 Months

6 Months

I am becoming more social and aware of things and people around me now. I am interested in toys that have a variety of textures, shapes, colours, and sounds. Look for toys that encourage me to grasp and reach. Many educational toys will be labelled with the appropriate age. Some toys and games that I might like include:• Cradle (play) gyms• Squeeze toys (with well-embedded squeakers)• Plush toys (simple, washable, soft)• Sturdy books with simple pictures• Toys or rattles that make noise• Finger play games and rhymes like "Peek-a-boo" or “Pat-a-cake” games• Rocking and gentle bouncing games to music and songs• Feeling games so I can touch different textures such as rough and smooth, soft and hard.• Games on my tummy so I can begin to learn crawling motions

Safety must come first.Throw away broken toys. Closely check second hand toys for loose or missing parts. Please keep older children’s toys with small parts out of my reach.

Hickory Dickory Dock:Songs and rhymes are fun and bring you and me closer together. They can also be a good distraction when I am fussy, (like in the grocery store). I need to hear you say the words correctly though, not in baby talk.

Hickory dickory dock,(Touch my toes, knees, hips)The mouse ran up the clock.('Walk' your fingers up my body)The clock struck one,(Touch my nose)The mouse ran down,('Walk' your fingers down my body)Hickory dickory dock.(Touch my toes, knees and hips again)

Bath Fun Turn my bath time into fun time. Get a cup and pour water onto me. I like toys that float in my bath. I may not try to grab the toys but you can draw my attention to them by playing with them. Name the toys that are in the tub with me while we are playing. Name my body parts as you wash them, but hang on tight – I’m slippery in the tub. Smile and make silly sounds with me. If you don't mind the mess, show me how to splash and have fun.

Remember that it’s important for me to have time on my tummy. I like when you put me on my tummy and play with me. This will help to develop my tummy muscles.

Kick PlayPut me on a safe, clean surface on my back. All you need is a noisy toy such as a rattle or a ball with bright colours on it. Dangle the toy near my feet and let me try to kick it. If I am having a hard time, help me by moving my feet for me. Help me touch my toes. I can try to grab them and pull on them. If I have a play gym, help me try to kick the toys hanging on them.

© Copyrighted to Let's Grow, With Your Child • Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Interagency Committee

Hey Dads! My partner might be surprised to hear this, but I remember thinking that it was about this age when our children started to become "real little people".

At about 4 to 6 months, although every baby is slightly different, our children began to smile. Now I'm not talking about those funny faces they make when they have gas. I'm talking about a real smile. You walk in the room and they see you coming. Greet them with a happy voice and they smile at you, flap their arms and kick their feet. They know how important we are and they are glad to see us! Pick them up and they immediately grab a handful of your moustache or your ear or both. What a wonderful show of affection. I'm also convinced that the open mouth attack on your cheek (or your shirt) is actually a baby kiss. They're kinda messy but it's the thought that counts.”

— written by a Dad.

Talk With A FriendYou may have found that you now need a lot more "to do" lists and without them you would forget everything. Motherhood really does not cause memory loss. You just have many more things on your mind.

Things like groceries may become a lower priority and may need to be on a list. Making lists is one way to stay organized.

You are learning many new ways to manage recent changes in your life. Look back at what has happened and what you've learned about yourself since the birth of your child - it’s amazing isn’t it?

Your friendships may have changed. This often happens, after or during pregnancy, as your interests change. Arrange to meet a friend at a local resource centre or library to talk, laugh and share stories.

Make a date with your partner; go for a bike ride or play a game of tennis. Talking and exercise can be very therapeutic. It can also be a good reminder of the importance of doing something for you. You may be a mom, but you are still an individual. Don't lose you!

Clean and HealthyYou may notice me sucking my thumb more often. This kind of sucking is called “non-nutritive” sucking. I use it to comfort myself. Our dentist will encourage you to give me a pacifier. Please keep it clean by washing it for 30 seconds with warm water. I drop things quite a bit and I don’t want germs or dirt to get in my mouth. When I reach 5-6 months of age you don’t need to sterilize my equipment. But remember that my toys, bottles, cups and spoons need to be washed thoroughly with hot soapy water, after I use them. Also, please wash your hands with soap and water after changing my diaper and feeding me. This will keep us all clean and healthy.

Please don’t feed me honey - even on my pacifier. It could make me very sick with infant botulism and cause my teeth to decay.How To Introduce My First Foods

Breastmilk has supplied all the nutrients my body has needed during these first few months. At six months of age, I will be physically ready for solids. Muscles in my tongue have developed enough to transfer food to the back of my mouth. My digestive system is now more mature and less likely to cause an allergic response. I can hold my head upright in my infant seat as I learn the new skill of eating.

I will show you that I'm hungrier and ready for solids by waking up hungry during the night. I will need a bib now but remember to take it off after I eat or the strings could tighten and choke me.

At six months I can start with a single grain iron-enriched infant cereal mixed with breastmilk or water, served thin from a spoon. Begin with 1-2 tsp. of cereal such as rice, barley, or oatmeal. Remember cereal is a food not a drink. Never put cereal in my bottle.

• In the beginning, serve solids after a milk feeding so that solids do not interfere with milk intake.

• Offer foods by baby spoon. Begin with small amounts (about a tsp.) and gradually increase the amount. If I have trouble learning to swallow from a baby spoon or cup, talk to our doctor.

• Warm foods gradually by placing dish in a bowl of warm water. Microwaves are not recommended to warm baby foods because they heat food unevenly. If you decide to use a microwave STIR food thoroughly for 30 seconds to evenly blend the heat.

• Serve food from a dish, not directly from a jar of baby food. Throw out any leftovers. In addition to bacteria, baby's saliva on the spoon contains enzymes which will digest the food in the jar, making it thin and watery.

• Any baby food in a jar that is not used, can be kept in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 days.

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Childcare ChoicesYou may be getting ready to return to some of your pre-baby activities like work, school or other activities. If you are looking for childcare, it is important to give yourself lots of time to check out your childcare choices carefully. Talk to your family, friends and neighbours. Find out what choices other people have made with childcare.

Remember that it is normal for a baby between 4 to 6 months of age to show some fear of unfamiliar people and places. To help your baby feel safe, begin by leaving him with a new caregiver for short periods of time. Gradually increase this length of time, as your baby and caregiver become more familiar with each other. It may be difficult to leave your baby in someone else’s care. The careful selection of a loving and skilled childcare provider in a safe setting can have a positive effect on your baby’s development. It may also help you to enjoy your return to some of your pre-baby activities.

Looking for childcare also means that your family’s current routines are changing. It is important to talk about any changes in your daily routines with your family. Make sure that family members know what their jobs are. Make a phone list to include the numbers of your childcare provider, the school, your employer, etc. Create a back-up plan in case something unexpected happens. For example, what if someone gets sick?

With careful preparation in your childcare choices, your plans will run smoothly.

One touch is worthten thousand words.

Harold Bloomfield

issue three

Put the Bite on Decay!Isn’t it exciting to think about my teeth coming in? But wait! Have you heard of Early Childhood Tooth Decay? That’s the formal name for rotten teeth. Please don’t let this happen to me. You

can keep my teeth and gums healthy by not letting me fall asleep at the breast or

with a bottle. Breastmilk, formula and unsweetened juices contain natural sugars. These natural sugars can rot my teeth when I sleep because there is less saliva in my mouth to rinse my teeth. Even before I have teeth, wipe my gums gently with a clean wet washcloth two times a day. As soon as I have teeth, the wet washcloth will still work for the first few teeth. When I have 4-6 teeth, use a small soft toothbrush, without toothpaste to gently clean my teeth. Good brushing habits will help me have healthy teeth and gums.

Fluoride is a substance which makes my teeth harder and helps to protect me from cavities. Fluoride is found in tap water (municipal and private systems), fluoridated toothpaste, commercial drinks and foods. Please don’t give me any fluoride supplements unless my dentist says I need it. Too much fluoride will create white or brown spots on my teeth and my smile won’t be so attractive. If you have questions about fluoride, call the Health Unit office.

Reading Is An AdventureI just love all the caring and affection you give me. It makes me smile and even squeal sometimes. Another way to show me love and closeness is by reading to me. It's true, I'm really not too young. I like to hear the sounds and rhythms in your voice. I like to hear other voices like Grandma’s, Grandpa’s, and older siblings' too. Large colourful picture books which are read slowly and calmly at bedtime can start a bedtime routine that I will cherish for life.

Let's visit our local library or resource centre for a large variety of books. We can start our own family library. Books make great gifts. Reading together is the first step toward talking and reading on my own.

Remember: It's never too early to read to me! The sooner, the better.

If I had my child to raise all over again,I'd finger paint more,

and point the finger less.I'd do less correcting,

and more connecting.I'd take my eyes off my watch,

and watch with my eyes.I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.I'd stop playing serious,

and seriously play.I'd run through more fields,

and gaze at more stars.I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would criticize less, and encourage much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd teach less about the love of power,And more about the power of love.

Adapted from Diane Loomans

Isn’t it amazing how your newborn has changed before your eyes into a more active, social baby? By four months, your baby can show enjoyment, indecision and frustration. He may smile at everyone, however special smiles are saved for his parents.

Around five months, new feelings of fear and excitement begin to appear. Also, your baby may have strong attachments to special people and things.

Your six-month-old will want to be around other children. He enjoys playing “two-way” games like peek-a-boo. Play

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If I Had My Child To Raise All

Over Again

Parenting with the Zap Family,by Invest In Kids Foundation.

Check your local library or resource centre to get up-to-date information about your growing family.

Topics and points of view vary between books and authors. Be sure the information is consistent with your family’s values.

Peek·a·Boo GamesMothering the New Mother, by Sally Placksin

0702

this game with your baby and watch him giggle with delight. Your baby will now play with toys for longer periods of time.

“Stranger anxiety” often appears as your baby realizes that you and he are separate people. He may show fear towards unfamiliar people and may now reach to be picked up when he needs a hug.

Your baby enjoys being with you. You are his first and most important teacher.

Let's Grow ... Together!

© Copyrighted to Let's Grow, With Your Child • Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Interagency Committee

Questions? Call Health Connections 905-546-3550Let’s Grow is provided by the City of Hamilton, Public Health Services

Public Health Services